Jim Gross – In Memoriam

Jim Gross, former board member and treasurer of Safe Schools Desert Cities (SSDC), passed away on April 1, 2021, following a battle with stomach cancer. Jim was a member of the Board formed when SSDC was reactivated by Doug Hairgrove and Warren “Woody” Wood. Doug and Woody had known Jim and his family for years when they served as educators at Cope Middle School in Redlands. Jim was one of their students with whom they became friends.

Jim also served on the Awards Committee, which administers SSDC scholarships. In addition to his participation at the Board and Committee level, Jim was an advocate for mindfulness training and shared his experience with GSA Advisors and students as well as offering workshops on mindfulness at the annual Rainbow Youth Summit.

Doug Hairgrove commented that “Jim’s favorite activity was Pride Prom where he loved performing ‘marriages’ in the Marriage Booth. His tender heart often found him in tears, especially a few times when instead of marriages he was asked to perform serious engagements.”

Jim was active in many other organizations and encouraged those organizations to support SSDC. As an active member of the El Rancho Vista Neighborhood Organization, Jim was instrumental in their financial contributions to support SSDC activities and programs. We will remember Jim for his commitment to community involvement and his ongoing support for Safe Schools Desert Cities.